What’s It Like To Be Gen Z in Today’s Climate? Two Zoomers Discuss | Isaac Humrich & Ope Tukuru with April Lawson Kornfield
May 23, 2022
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Isaac Humrich, a rising sophomore at Arizona State University and incoming president of the College Republicans, shares insights on young conservatives. Ope Tukuru, a recent University at Albany graduate and former Braver Angels intern, offers a progressive viewpoint. Together, they discuss the challenges of navigating political identities amidst polarization. They tackle the impact of social media, the decline of friendships, and Generation Z's resilience despite societal pressures. The conversation illuminates the need for open dialogue and common ground in an increasingly divided world.
Isaac and Ope highlight the deep feelings of loneliness among Gen Z, exacerbated by the pandemic, emphasizing the need for diverse friendships to foster empathy and understanding.
They discuss the contrasting political beliefs within their generation, challenging stereotypes, and stressing the importance of engaging in depolarization efforts and awareness of organizations like Braver Angels.
Deep dives
The Impact of Friendship and Isolation on Young Adults
The podcast highlights the significance of friendships and the feelings of isolation that many young adults experience today. Isaac and Opie discuss how the pandemic has intensified feelings of loneliness among their peers, disrupting social networks that would normally provide support and connection. They emphasize that meaningful relationships with a diverse group of friends can help foster understanding and empathy, ultimately bridging political divides. The conversation underlines the need for young people to cultivate friendships beyond their ideological circles to develop better social skills and cope with isolation.
Political Perspectives of Young Conservatives and Liberals
Isaac and Opie share their political views and how their life experiences shape their beliefs. Isaac identifies as an American-style conservative, distinguishing his views from European conservatism and advocating for a moderate approach informed by classical liberal values. Meanwhile, Opie gravitates toward the Democratic Party, particularly on social issues like immigration and personal autonomy. Their contrasting perspectives exemplify the diversity of thought within their generation, challenging stereotypes that young people are one-dimensional in their political beliefs.
The Role of Awareness in Depolarization
Both Isaac and Opie stress the importance of awareness in engaging with depolarization efforts among young people. They believe that many youth are simply unaware of organizations like Braver Angels that promote constructive conversations between differing viewpoints. Opie points out that young individuals often shy away from engaging with opposing ideas due to the fear of conflict, while Isaac elaborates on the loneliness that results from a lack of meaningful interactions. Their insights suggest that fostering awareness and providing safe spaces for dialogue could encourage more young people to participate in depolarization initiatives.
Generational Stereotypes and the Path Forward
The conversation addresses both unfair stereotypes and some kernels of truth regarding young people's behavior. Opie argues that generalizations of selfishness and over-sensitivity often overlook the resilience many in their generation show, particularly in light of challenges like the pandemic. Isaac emphasizes that negative perceptions often stem from a lack of understanding and acknowledges the growing need for young people to engage with diverse perspectives. They conclude that, while there are challenges, the potential for meaningful dialogue exists, and it is essential for their generation to push against stereotypes and embrace vulnerability and open-mindedness.
April Lawson Kornfield hosts two thoughtful young people—Zoomers, as they're sometimes called—for a conversation about depolarization, campus culture, and what it would take to bring more youth into the bridge-building movement. Isaac Humrich is a rising sophomore at Arizona State University and the incoming president of the Arizona State College Republicans. Ope Tukuru, a recent graduate of the University at Albany, just finished his internship with the media team at Braver Angels.
The guests offer surprising insights about friendship, which stereotypes about their generation are unfair and which ones hit the mark, and how it feels to be coming into adulthood amidst a pandemic, intense social justice movements, and a political world that feels increasingly unstable.